Ballet Term
Corps
Corps is a common classical term in ballet most commonly used with “corps de ballet.”
Corps is the French word for “body,” and in ballet you will almost always hear it as part of the phrase corps de ballet. On its own it is a connective word rather than a step, so it rarely appears by itself in a class.
The corps de ballet is the large group of dancers who perform together as a unit, moving in matching lines and patterns behind the soloists and principal dancers. Think of the rows of swans in Swan Lake or the snowflakes in The Nutcracker: those dancers are the corps. Their strength is unity, so their timing, angles, and spacing all have to match exactly.
Most professional dancers begin their careers in the corps before moving up to solo roles. Being part of it teaches discipline, musicality, and the art of blending in so that the whole group looks like one moving picture.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
What does corps mean in ballet?
Corps is French for "body." In ballet it is almost always used in the phrase corps de ballet, the group of dancers who perform together in matching lines and patterns.
Is being in the corps de ballet a beginner role?
It is usually where professional dancers start their careers, but it is highly skilled work. Corps dancers must match their timing and spacing exactly so the whole group moves as one.